Comparison

SMART eTickets vs ParkSFO

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SMART eTickets

Purchase and use train tickets instantly on your phone with a debit or credit card. Register securely and buy single or round-trip tickets, with discounts for eligible passengers. Store, activate, and display tickets for easy travel.

Highlights
  • Instant ticket purchase
  • Debit/credit card payment
  • Discounted fares for youth, seniors, and disabled
  • Group ticket payment
  • Store multiple tickets
  • Activate tickets before boarding
  • Transfer tickets to new devices
Features
Read full description

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) eTickets app allows you to purchase and use tickets instantly on your phone using a debit or credit card. Simply download the free app, register your e-mail address in our secure system and you're ready to ride. With the SMART Train Mobile Tickets app, you can: · Purchase one-way or round-trip tickets · Receive a discounted fare if you qualify as: Youth (5 -18), Senior (65 & Older) or a passenger with disabilities · Pay a single fare or multiple fares for a group of riders · Store multiple tickets on your phone for future use · Activate tickets · Register your debit/credit card in our secure system IMPORTANT REMINDERS: · You need an account to use mobile tickets. An account only requires an email & password · Once you purchase your ticket it will appear in your "ticket wallet" · Activate your ticket shortly before boarding the SMART Train · If you purchased multiple tickets remember to activate all of them. Tickets are displayed in order of activation. Swipe to advance to the next ticket · Be prepared to show your active ticket(s) to SMART personnel · Keep an eye on your battery level. You are held responsible for having a mobile phone in good working order and usable prior to boarding. If your mobile phone is inoperable you must use some other payment method for the journey · Mobile tickets do not need cell phone or WiFi services to be activated. However, you do need connectivity during the purchase of the ticket. · Mobile tickets are valid for 90 minutes after activation · Mobile tickets that have been purchased, but not activated, will expire after 30 days · Transfer credits are not available via the SMART mobile ticket app · If you lose or purchase a new device you can transfer any valid, unused tickets to a new device. SMART POLICY ON REFUNDS: · Generally, SMART does not issue refunds on mobile products · In the case of extenuating circumstances, customers can submit a refund request · Refund form can be found on: www.SonomaMarinTrain.org

About

ParkSFO

Effortlessly manage your parking experience from your phone. Pay for parking, check out of facilities, and apply discounts and coupons without needing paper tickets or waiting in line. Earn credits for future parking fees.

Highlights
  • Mobile parking payment
  • Facility checkout
  • Apply coupons and discounts
  • Earn parking credits
  • Frictionless parking experience
Features
Read full description

With the ParkSFO Mobile app you can park your car, pay for parking, and check out of the facility all through your mobile phone. No need for paper tickets, no more waiting in line to pay. And you can still use our coupons and receive your club membership discounts when using the mobile app! You can also earn credits within the app and these credit can be applied to your parking fees! The ParkSFO app makes true frictionless parking a reality and it has never been easier or more efficient and hassle-free when you park at ParkSFO!

Screenshots

SMART eTickets4 screens
ParkSFO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ParkSFO at 71% against SMART eTickets's 22%. ParkSFO also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (491 vs 35). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ParkSFO holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ParkSFO has 491 ratings behind it against 35, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of SMART eTickets's written reviews are positive against 71% of ParkSFO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMART eTickets ships an update every 4 months, ParkSFO every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SMART eTickets versus ParkSFO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMART eTicketsParkSFO
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (35 ratings)4.8 (491 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.2% of reviews70.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings35491 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSonoma-Marin Area Rail TransitPARKSFO

Customer experience

SMART eTickets

All ratings31 ratings
Positive48.4%
Neutral16.1%
Negative35.5%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral22.2%
Negative55.6%

ParkSFO

All ratings468 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.4%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive70.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

SMART eTickets

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ParkSFO

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • QR code reader at exit gate doesn't work reliably
  • App crashes when entering state in profile
  • Brightness control issue on iPhone after closing app
  • Cannot retroactively check in after downloading app
  • Coupon codes cannot be deleted once selected
Show 5 more
  • Coupons don't persist in saved section
  • Scanners don't work consistently throughout facility
  • App doesn't notify when lot is full
  • Website login/registration issues
  • Reservation made in app cannot be viewed in app

Requested features

10 requests
  • Live shuttle location tracking on map
  • Ability to make and view reservations directly in app
  • Save parking space number and floor to ticket
  • Apple Pay payment option
  • Ability to attach multiple credit cards to account
Show 5 more
  • Parking space photo/note feature for memory aid
  • Direct call/pickup location feature for terminals
  • Lot capacity/availability status in app
  • Better coupon display showing discount amount at checkout
  • Clipboard paste functionality for credit card entry

In-app purchases

None

SMART eTickets

No in-app purchases

None

ParkSFO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SMART eTickets free?
SMART eTickets is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ParkSFO free?
ParkSFO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SMART eTickets or ParkSFO?
ParkSFO is rated higher. SMART eTickets averages 3.1 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while ParkSFO averages 4.8 from 491 ratings.
Do SMART eTickets or ParkSFO have ads?
Neither SMART eTickets nor ParkSFO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMART eTickets or ParkSFO?
SMART eTickets ships an update every 4 months, and ParkSFO every 2 months. Most recently, SMART eTickets was updated on November 2, 2026 and ParkSFO on November 3, 2026.

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